VR City partners with Sport Relief on immersive malaria film

VR City has partnered with Sport Relief to produce an immersive 360-degree film with the aim of raising awareness of life-saving malaria treatments.

The collaboration, which brings to life one of the biggest issues being tackled by the charity’s funding, takes viewers on the journey of a mosquito as it spreads malaria in Uganda. The film, directed by VR City CCO Darren Emerson (Indefinite, Witness 360: 7/7) uses 360 degree views of scenes ranging from small villages and local hospitals, to the deep red clay and green landscapes of Uganda.

Narrated by long term Comic Relief supporter, David Tennant, the film takes viewers on an immersive experience from the very start of the mosquito’s life. The viewer also learns about the rapid diagnostic tests being carried out by local trained medics, and how these can be the difference between getting lifesaving early treatment and death.

The buzz of the flying mosquitos heard throughout the film was recorded on a binaural microphone, surrounding the viewer, while immersive visuals were generated through the use of a Kandao Obsidian 360 camera.

“Comic Relief is part of the fabric of the nation – we’ve all grown up with it. So it’s an incredible honour and we are very proud to work with them to highlight what is such a significant issue,” said Ashley Cowan, CEO and co-founder, VR City. “With this film we wanted to connect audiences with the threat people in Uganda are confronting every day. By using VR it is possible to feel as close to being there as possible without actually taking them there. We hope it inspires people to take action and donate to Sport Relief.”

Bill Griffin, executive director of Brand & Creative at Comic Relief, added: “Malaria takes a life every two minutes in Africa. At Comic Relief, we are always looking for innovative ways to bring home this stark reality and deepen understanding of one of the world’s most deadly diseases. Collaborating with the brilliant VR City to make this immersive 360 film enables us to do exactly that, in a way which will take viewers incredibly close to the daily threat faced by so many people living across Africa”.